Fiedler hurt, might not start for 'Fins

The Associated Press

Published Thursday, October 23, 2003

DAVIE -- Jay Fiedler is hurt and Brian Griese is healthy. But if Miami coach Dave Wannstedt knows which one of his quarterbacks will start for the Dolphins at San Diego on Monday night, he isn't telling.

Fiedler, who sprained a ligament in his left knee during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 19-13 overtime loss to New England, did not take any snaps during the team's practice Wednesday.

Griese, signed by Miami (4-2) in the offseason to play backup after four years as Denver's starter, worked with the starting offense and will get the call if Fiedler can't play. Wannstedt said he would not announce the starter before Sunday, but added that he will make the decision before then.

Neither Griese nor Fiedler tipped their hands, either.

"I really didn't do too much on it today," said Fiedler, who wore a large brace and took part in some individual drills.

"I wanted to give it another day of rest. We didn't go through a lot of game plan stuff today. It was just some limited work, so I figured another day of rest would help it out."

Meanwhile, Dolphins linebacker Junior Seau insists he meant no harm when he suggested the way to stop former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson is to feed him fried chicken and watermelon.

Tomlinson, whose Chargers face the Dolphins on Monday night, said he was not angered by the comments. Dolphins officials backed Seau and agreed that he intended no malice.

Asked Wednesday how to limit Tomlinson, San Diego's star running back, Seau told reporters: "You give him watermelon and load him up with fried chicken and tell him to keep eating."

Seau, who is of Samoan descent, later said he and Tomlinson, who is black, are friends and the comment was meant in jest. Seau was wearing a Tomlinson jersey when he made the comment.

"We ate that all the time. We'd have fried chicken every Friday," Seau said. "I'm sorry you guys took it that way. I should have realized it was an oversight on my part. I'm sorry it came out that way."

Tomlinson said he laughed when he heard Seau's words.

Denver Broncos

DENVER --Danny Kanell went from being a starting quarterback in the NFL to having trouble getting teams to return his calls.

He played minor league baseball for a year, spent a season in the Arena League and even coached at his high school.

Will he be the next Tommy Maddox or Kurt Warner? No matter, Kanell is going to enjoy his time as the starter for the Denver Broncos for however long it lasts.

"It was frustrating, sitting at home watching games on TV and watching players I felt I could play just as well as, if not better," Kanell said Wednesday. "I'm excited about it and I'm going to try to make the most out of it."

It begins Sunday against Baltimore, when Kanell makes his first NFL start in nearly three years.

He was pressed into service after starter Jake Plummer broke his foot and backup Steve Beuerlein broke a finger.

Plummer is expected to miss at least three more weeks and Beuerlein is out for the season, meaning Kanell will be Denver's starter for at least the next two games.